# NTSB SEA95LA044: Piper PA-24-260, N9201P, Salem, OR, January 27, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 26, 1995, 18:16 local (Jan 27, 1995, 02:16 UTC) - Place: Salem, OR - Coordinates: 45.010684, -122.910789 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0107&lon=-122.9108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42104 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42104/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA044 ## Probable cause FUEL STARVATION DUE TO INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE DUAL STUDENT BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WHEN THE DUAL STUDENT IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITION. ## Analysis PRIOR TO TAKEOFF ON A DARK NIGHT, THE DUAL STUDENT CHANGED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM ONE MAIN TANK TO ANOTHER. AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 150 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE ENGINE STOPPED DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS NOT IN THE DETENT, AND THAT HE HAD INADEQUATELY MONITORED THE STUDENT'S POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. ## Factual narrative On January 26, 1995, at 1816 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-24, N9201P, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of power immediately after take off at Salem, Oregon. The flight instructor and his student were uninjured. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which had a destination of Cresswell, Oregon. There was no fire, and the ELT did not activate. Both the flight instructor and student stated that after run-up, the fuel selector was changed from one main fuel tank to the other. After takeoff, at about 150 feet, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of power. The aircraft was landed straight ahead on remaining runway, with the landing gear retracted, causing substantial belly damage. Both the flight instructor and student stated that when the fuel selector position was changed, it had not completely engaged the detent. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9201P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9201P-2021-12-04), registration cancelled 2021-12-04, S/N 24-4696, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-4696 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Charles R. Lemasters - Registered owner: Dan Mallett - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1994, 40 hours before - Departed: SLE - Destination: 77S, CRESSWELL, OR - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SLE, Mcnary Field, runway 16, 5,145 × 140 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,600 total, 15 in this make and model, 2,530 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950126003479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950126003479A), Jan 26, 1995: Piper PA24260, Salem, OR, Substantial damage. Switched tanks prior night takeoff engine quit on climbout. Fuel selector not in detente. ## Other investigations on N9201P (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB OAK76FVG28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76FVG28), Oct 2, 1975: Piper PA-24 (N9201P), Bieder, CA, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.